Linda Wager's Update Blog

  Praise God from Whom all blessings flow!  Praise Him, all creatures here below!  Praise Him above, ye Heav'nly host!  Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost!  (Doxology) Our hearts are rejoicing and praising God for the completion of the 33 radiation treatments.  We are thankful for so many things along the way---safe travels daily on often snow or ice covered wintery roads (especially in late March and April!!), docs, nurses, reception personnel, and radiation therapists to daily attend to the treatment---often also travelling a good distance, a reliable vehicle, a cancer center relatively "close" to home, modern technology and machines, and most of all, our sovereign, good, and faithful God watching over all and guiding in His loving care.   We continue to be thankful to you who have joined us on this unexpected (to us!) path, and who have prayed and encouraged us in so many loving ways along the way.  Thank you so much! What's next?  I ...

 Just a quick update!! The countdown chain is definitely getting smaller!!  The end of 33 radiation days is in sight!!🎉🎉🎉 We are so thankful!! The original end date was yesterday, April 1--but I guess that was just a joke!! 😏  Due to a couple of times when the Tomo machine (see pics below) was broken and needing repair (and parts), including twice this past week, I have 3 more days, and our new target celebration end date is Wednesday, April 6!!  We are looking forward to that!! The burn side effects have caught up with me the past couple of weeks, and the doc projects to expect continued increased side effects for 2 weeks post end date--just a bit past Easter!!  But the prescribed creams are helping to control the itch and burn. What's ahead?  We'll find out more on Wednesday at my final radiation day appointment with Dr. Platta, but I do have a scheduled appointment with the oncologist (Dr. Peterson) on April 27, I believe to probably check on any sid...

 Family and Friends! We are celebrating half way through radiation!  (I say "we" as you have joined us in this journey, too!) God has been faithful as always, and we have seen Him provide safe trips, trained medical personnel, modern equipment, and so far, minimal side effects.  There was one day when the equipment was down, and a repairman travelled from Appleton to fix it, and thus, I didn't have radiation that day, but got my visit with the doc in still. So we are 17 days completed and 16 remaining.  The doc reports that all is going according to plan, so that's good, too!  April 4 is my target finish date!!   The morning trip to and from town has become "routine," with extra time to listen to podcasts, and I even don't "mind" the radiation time---as it has been a "relaxing" time to pray, recite Scripture, and meditate on the Christian music lyrics ringing through the room. (A correction to previous blogs---regarding the stage of t...

Dear Family and Friends- We just wanted to check in and let you know that treatment has begun and we celebrate 1.5 weeks completed!  5 weeks to go! All is going well!  We haven't had to miss a day yet in spite of some snowfalls and roads that asked for caution!  I am feeling great so far, and side effects could start appearing at the 2 week mark.  We are taking it one day at a time! It is a relatively quick daily procedure.  A CT scan is taken every day that is reviewed by the radiation oncologist prior to the following day's treatment to make sure everything is as it should be.  I meet with the doc every Wednesday after treatment, but otherwise the tech girls take care of me daily for the 20 minutes or so I am with them.  After the CT scan, they then check and recheck positioning, and ride me into the "doughnut" for the 7 minute treatment time.  The machine sounds like either galloping horses or popcorn!  I've been told it makes that noise f...

  Family and Friends-- "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.  When you pass through the waters, I will be with you...."   Isaiah 43:1b-2a Radiation begins Wednesday, February 16 at 9:30am daily for 6.5 weeks in Antigo--40 minutes from home.  The expected side effects are fatigue (progressive as treatment continues) and sunburn/blisters throughout treatment and for some time afterwards. We are trusting God for effective treatment and safety in travel, as well as minimal side effects/capability to manage and endure the side effects, and opportunities to represent Him well to others.  We are thankful for His promise to be with us as we walk through these next months. I (Linda) am feeling great going into the start of radiation (6 weeks post-surgery), and might even get an "approved" short c-c ski in before treatment begins.  (The lifelong risk of lymphedema post surgery requires a slow, gentle build up to any activity usi...

  Update #6 1.26.22   A Treatment Plan! Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord .  (Jeremiah 17:7) Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God .  (Psalm 20:7) There is a plan!  As we approached the treatment options, we reminded ourselves that ultimately, we trust in God .  God may use doctors and treatment methods as tools to heal or to prevent recurrence, but He alone guards our health, our days, our time on earth. Linda’s treatment plan will consist of 5.5 weeks of radiation (5 days a week—in Antigo, thankfully!!) and then Hormone Therapy (a daily pill) for 10 years. We continue to be grateful for the surgeons, docs, therapists, and all who work besides them, and for the speed of appointments in such an uncertain time with so many shortages existing. Psalm 90:12 says this:  So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom . That should always be our ...

Good evening, family and friends! 1 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. 2 I will say to the LORD, “My refuge and my fortress, m y God, in whom I trust.” Psalm 91:1-2 (ESV) We continue to dwell, abide and trust in God, our refuge and fortress, who is omnipotent, omnipresent, and loving. It's only Wednesday, but we have completed our week of five appointments/procedures.  :-) Monday's whole body bone scan came back as a NORMAL bone scan, no areas of suspicious activity.  No evidence of bony metastasis.  Tears of JOY and praising God!!  (And what a blessing to know the technician from former youth club leader days.) Tuesday's post-op check up #1 went well, with a not-so-sad goodbye to the drain.  Healing is going well.  Post-op #2 is scheduled for next Tuesday. Tuesday's CT scan (chest, abdomen, and pelvis) also came back with no lytic or destructive bone lesions, no abdominal or pelvis mass, and no suspiciou...